Dr. Marie Gervais Brings Timeless Wisdom To The Evolving Post-pandemic Workplace

• According to a new global survey two-thirds of people around the world want to work flexibly when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
• A recent Ipsos survey for the World Economic Forum confirms that to work flexibly when the COVID-19 pt 64% of respondents reported being more productive with a flexible work schedule and almost a third (30%) said they would consider looking for another job if they were forced to go back to the office full time.
• Respected business author, coach, and consultant, Dr. Marie Gervais says that whilst there is no denying that workplaces are experiencing an existential crisis, they are also being given an opportunity to transform in the post-pandemic landscape.

Statistics about workplace engagement, happiness, and satisfaction have shown a consistent decline in recent years. Then along came a virus and with it, came significant changes to the way we viewed our working lives. One of the few silver linings to the global pandemic was that it succeeded in finally ridding us of the industrial era hangover that lingered in the modern workplace.

According to Dr. Gervais, there is still much to be done to transform our workplaces into the kind of soul-enhancing spaces we need them to be.

Leaving the Industrial Era behind

“Since the industrial revolution, the idea of work has been disconnected from what it means to be human,” says Dr. Gervais. “Our workplaces have been missing attributes like relationality, harmony, unity and equality. Now, post-pandemic, that is changing. As companies become more aware of what a newly awakened workforce needs, and they become more receptive to giving it to them, they are beginning to embrace a more holistic approach to work.”

A holistic approach to work bringing together lessons from business, science and spirituality

Like others in her field of interest, Dr. Gervais is driven to unpack what is making people so unhappy at work. Her cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary approach is unique. Based on her extensive academic and practical experience in culture and learning in the workplace, she examines the relationship between people and work by combining ancient wisdom, modern science, and real-world examples in order to share insight on how to develop a soul-sustaining workplace culture.

“A soul-sustaining workplace culture is much more than the mere absence of a toxic workplace culture or the eradication of exploitation in the workplace,” says Dr. Gervais.

“A soul-sustaining workplace means being able to bring your body, mind, heart and soul to work in a sustainable way, coupled with your community, culture, and world view. It’s a complete paradigm shift. It means really making changes to the way people think about work. The whole premise of work. Everything that we do, think and say at work can be either soul diminishing or soul enhancing.”

Dr. Gervais views the workplace from a business, philosophical, scientific and spiritual perspective. The result is a holistic approach to work that embraces each worker as a spiritual being, related to every other being. It’s a belief that she views as fundamental to a more satisfying and purposeful work life for all of us, and it infuses her work as the Founder of the Supervisory Leadership Success Program. The program specializes in professional development for middle management. It’s also the basis of her new book, The Spirit of Work .

The Spirit of Work

The Spirit of Work offers a high-level yet approachable model to rethink how we view and structure work. It’s designed to help readers to understand the interconnections between science, business practices and sacred texts as they relate to work; to build management skills based on what real humans need to succeed and develop at work; to find practical tools and workplace examples to apply to management as a soul-enhancing (rather than soul-diminishing) journey; and to rethink common but destructive workplace cultural assumptions. The Spirit of Work is for leaders, changemakers, and anyone who yearns to build a humane and sustainable system of work.

Dr. Marie Gervais holds a PhD in Culture and Learning in the Workplace and is a sought-after speaker, writer and curriculum developer. Through her work in leadership training, she has coached more than 500 supervisors, managers, and business owners for career and business success. She also hosts the Culture and Leadership Connections podcast, which features interviews with diverse leaders in a variety of professions. Her publications span industry and academic journals on topics including the future of work, workplace communication, productivity and psychological safety in the workplace. Her online courses and products are used by managers and career developers around the world.